LEISTON are the only serious challengers to FA Vase quarter-finalists Lowestoft Town's dreams of winning the Premier Division of the Ridgeons League.But it would take a superhuman effort for Carl Chenery's side to make up ground on the runaway leaders.

Elvin King

LEISTON are the only serious challengers to FA Vase quarter-finalists Lowestoft Town's dreams of winning the Premier Division of the Ridgeons League.

But it would take a superhuman effort for Carl Chenery's side to make up ground on the runaway leaders.

Lowestoft have 60 points from 24 games and Leiston 40 points from 18 matches. The clubs in-between Lowestoft and sixth-placed Leiston are at least nine points behind the leaders and have played a similar number of games.

Leiston need to put a run together and they proved in the FA Cup exploits that they are a match for any club at this level.

They are at home to Histon reserves tomorrow with Chenery saying: “It's been a frustrating month and wee know it's going to be very difficult to win the league.

“But hopefully we've had our little spell where we drop points.

“Tuesday night was a big confidence boost for the players so hopefully now we can put a run of games together now.”

Leiston pipped Histon's second string 6-4 on Tuesday to reach the Ridgeons League Cup final and Chenery is hoping it will prove a springboard to improved results.

After losing to Hungerford in the FA Vase, Leiston failed to win four league matches with Chenery adding: “I think the Vase defeat did have a little bit of an effect on the players.

“There are high expectations, but you don't always get what you want. No-one has got a divine right to win anything.

“We've had games where we probably should have won recently, things haven't been going our way, but sometimes you make your own luck.

“There is still a lot to play for and it's not all about the FA Vase. We have to put that loss behind us now because, although it a big competition, it's not the end of the world.”

Needham Market, who like Lowestoft booked their place in the last eight of the FA Vase last weekend, travel to Mildenhall Town following a midweek draw with Harwich, while Felixstowe and Walton United welcome Walsham le Willows where former player Paul Smith is making a sterling job of managing the village side.

Woodbridge Town visit the Abbey Stadium, Cambridge to take on CRC.

In the First Division, Hadleigh United have taken 28 points out of the last 30 and Steve Jay's side will be out to extend this proud record by the seaside at Yarmouth.

New signing Neil Calver from Felixstowe and Walton United, who has yet to make his debut, will again be missing, having so far served two matches of a four-match ban he received prior to joining the club.

Hadleigh will go top if they get more points than Newmarket who are at home to Cornard United.

Fourth-placed Brantham entertain third-placed Halstead in what should be a cracking contest, while fifth-placed Debenham are on their travels to Gorleston.

Louis Newman's Stowmarket Town take on Long Melford, who are third from bottom just above Fakenham and Ipswich Wanderers.

In the Metaltec SIL, leaders Grundisburgh are short-priced favourites for the title, but they will be tested by in-form Ipswich Athletic.